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Topic Review (Newest First)

08-27-2016 02:52 PM

flutterbug

I ordered a HW-404B off e bay. When I ordered my previous 304B I made sure to order from Tech n Toy. I am thinking of ordering the smaller version and a few minutes again I was looking over the Tech n Toy listing because and I noticed the listing says the Sunsun has a 3 prong plug and it is only available from Tech n Toy.
This time I ordered from Pond n Fish and I will tell you why I did. I had sent Tech n Toy a question about the smaller filter because I saw somewhere someone said the tubing is smaller which is something I find a good thing. I waited 3 days and still had not gotten a response and as of writing this still have not. This made me feel like the seller would not provide good communication if I had any problems. But I did not notice that plug difference before, so now I think the one I am getting won't have that. Makes me wonder if it is an all together inferior quality. My current 304B is shutting off and on every few minutes and has been since the day I ordered the new one, so I really don't have time for returns and re ordering. Hopefully the one I am getting is just as good.

08-23-2016 08:06 PM

Hoppy

I just hooked up a new 302 today. I got it because it is cheap! And, the discussions here have convinced me that it will work ok for me. The only problem I had was priming it. What finally worked, and worked very easily, was filling the can to about 3/4 full, then, with the top off, I poured more water in through the hole that goes to the bottom of the can. I filled it until the water was at the top of that hole (and the other one, which is what connects to the filter pump inlet.) I put the top back on, latched, it and pushed the primer button 3 times and the inlet hose was finally full of water. When I started it it immediately pumped water.

My favorite priming method is the Rena Filstar method, where you pour water down the inlet hose until it is full, with the hoses blocked off with the disconnect lever. Then when you plug in the connector and lock it in place that full hose immediately empties into the canister, pulling water behind it from the tank, establishing the siphon. I have use that method, with DIY pipes, on a Fluval filter too. It has worked every time. Later I may try to DIY an inlet pipe so I use that on this filter too. (You need a tee at the top, that you can cap or uncap, where you pour the water in.)

07-29-2016 09:01 PM

MeauxJeaux

Just hooked up a new 302. So far it's much easier to prime and get the air out than either of my Filstar XPs. Really quiet and no leaks so far. If not for this thread I would have never tried this brand, so thanks!

05-18-2016 01:04 PM

Lonestarbandit

Those Sunsun 302s have been with me about 7 years and all still going. Have 3 of them and also an Aquatop df200 I think.
Higher "quality feel" but less flow. Its running back up to a Sunsun anyway lol.
Only issue I had is the very oldest one refuses to be primed with that pump any longer but no leaks and self primes well enough and I once broke an impeller rod because I thought it was plastic and rapidly discovered it was ceramic after my hamfisted fiddling broke it.
*update* some silicone grease on the priming area and works like new again it was just binding up.

02-04-2016 04:00 AM

rrp1501

I raise Angelfish I have been using the SunSun 304b on my 55g grow out tank for about 6 months. Before that it was on my 55g community tank with Angels, Pleco, Cory's and snails for almost 1 year. There is also a WIDE range of plants in there and the substrate is Eco-Complete and potting soil. I have had NO problems what so ever with the filter. I have Bio-Home media in the bottom and 3 different grades of pads and Bio balls in the baskets. The filter cost me $30 dollars delivered from Amazon. Other than periodic maintenance to clean it out every 6 months, it just runs as quiet now as when I got it.

I am so happy with it, I bought a 602 table top cannister for one of my breeding tanks and am getting the HBL 302 90gph HOB filter on another. They are all ABSOLUTELY quiet and keep my tanks crystal clear! All three filters have cost me $70.19! That's less than 1/3 the price of a comparable Eheim filter, just one of them!
I say buy one and see for yourself. If it does break down in 2 years or even 1 year, you can buy one each year and still not pay as much as the ACCEPTABLE brands of filters. I guaranty you will LOVE your SUNSUN!

12-17-2015 03:00 AM

herns

i have mine for about 1 1/2 year and just went dead. I thought it was just dirt inside impeller.

12-15-2015 03:03 PM

Termato

I recently purchased three SunSun HW-505A's and they are so worth it. Cheap, Well Built, Good flow. Great review.

10-29-2015 06:44 AM

WaterLife

I believe each tray holds just under 1 liter. Most people only fill 1 or 2 trays with biomedia (matrix) with the other two trays being mechanical filtration - varying pore sizes of sponges, polyfil, etc. (chemical filtration optional -activated carbon, purigen).

But it really depends on your fish bioload that determines how much biomedia you should have to support the necessary amount of aerobic beneficial bacteria colonies needed. Matrix is one of the better medias with more surface area to house more beneficial bacteria, so it takes less amount of it to handle the bioload vs a inferior biomedia with less surface area.

I'm not sure of your tank size (flow rate of canister on a given tank size matters, smaller the tank the more times/faster the water is "turned over"/filtered more often vs a larger tank) and fish load so I can't say for sure, but 2 liters should be plenty for that filter and for use on any tank that isn't too overstocked.
I've used 2 liters on overstocked tanks and had stable water parameters.

Take a look around KensFish website, plenty of stuff to save money on, once you get the cart to $49, free shipping plus no tax and low prices, it's a great site, always been satisfied (except no replys on emails and some things being out of stock for quite some time). I've spent well over $2k there and believe it or not, that saved me a ton vs buying from other places.

If you have a large tank or a lot of tanks, do yourself a favor and buy Seachem Safe (high concentrated powder dechlorinator) instead of Seachem Prime (liquid version of Safe), it lasts you a lot longer (don't worry about overdosing, you can dose to 5x the recommended amount and it is still safe). Save big on Eheim Jager heaters, fish food (a lot of Ken's fish brand food is good quality), etc.

It's been a while, but I do believe I did order from Tech'n'toy off of eBay. I do for sure remember that username though and is a known reputable seller of SunSun filters.
I personally usually buy through eBay versus Amazon.

There is usually listings for SunSun filters that come with extra media (ceramic rings, carbon, bioballs), but it's usually 5 or so bucks more. Sometimes there is some listings from sellers that aren't charging extra for the media, so the extra media is basically free, just browse through some of the listings.

If there isn't any with free extra media, I would just save the money and put it toward Seachem Matrix as the other media isn't that great. Shop on kensfish if you didn't know about it, will save you a lot of money (especially on Matrix!).

Thanks for the tip on KensFish. Their price on the Matrix is lower but looks like there is shipping charges (for orders under $49). I'm wondering how many 2L jars of Matrix I would need if I were to purchase the HW-404B which has 4 media trays? I assume 2 liters isn't going to be sufficient?

It's been a while, but I do believe I did order from Tech'n'toy off of eBay. I do for sure remember that username though and is a known reputable seller of SunSun filters.
I personally usually buy through eBay versus Amazon.

There is usually listings for SunSun filters that come with extra media (ceramic rings, carbon, bioballs), but it's usually 5 or so bucks more. Sometimes there is some listings from sellers that aren't charging extra for the media, so the extra media is basically free, just browse through some of the listings.

If there isn't any with free extra media, I would just save the money and put it toward Seachem Matrix as the other media isn't that great. Shop on kensfish if you didn't know about it, will save you a lot of money (especially on Matrix!).

I've bought my SunSun's from Amazon and eBay, both are great, just find the best deal at the time (prices can fluctuate from competition of sales, but go with high rated/reputable sellers).
Most, if not all, of the SunSun filters are tested to ensure no leaks/defects, there is usually mention of this in the seller's description/ad as well.

I haven't owned a Fluval canister filter, but there was a thread recently on here titled something like "*tosses Fluval out of nearest window" and many have mentioned their negative experiences with Fluval. I am sure they aren't completely trash, but for that price I would expect a issue-free product, so personally I would either get a high rated Eheim or just save money and go with SunSun (maybe more than one at that!).

Speaking of eBay/Amazon sellers, have you dealt with this seller before?

From what I can tell, it's the same seller except that their eBay listing is 89 cents cheaper. LOL.

The price difference between what I paid for my Fluval 406 ($143) and what a SunSun HW-404B would be about $50; the difference is obviously the Fluval already has all the media (biomax, carbon, etc.) already included in the box whereas the SunSun doesn't, but I would be planning to get some Seachem Matrix anyway.

After reading the reviews (and watching the YT videos) on the SunSun/AquaTop units, I'm seriously contemplating returning my unopened Fluval 406 and getting a SunSun 404B. Any suggestion/advice as to where's the best place to get one online? Amazon.com? eBay?

I've bought my SunSun's from Amazon and eBay, both are great, just find the best deal at the time (prices can fluctuate from competition of sales, but go with high rated/reputable sellers).
Most, if not all, of the SunSun filters are tested to ensure no leaks/defects, there is usually mention of this in the seller's description/ad as well.

I haven't owned a Fluval canister filter, but there was a thread recently on here titled something like "*tosses Fluval out of nearest window" and many have mentioned their negative experiences with Fluval. I am sure they aren't completely trash, but for that price I would expect a issue-free product, so personally I would either get a high rated Eheim or just save money and go with SunSun (maybe more than one at that!).

10-28-2015 06:56 PM

ichy

I believe SunSun use to factory test. Mine came "wet" in an unopened box from Amazon.

After reading the reviews (and watching the YT videos) on the SunSun/AquaTop units, I'm seriously contemplating returning my unopened Fluval 406 and getting a SunSun 404B. Any suggestion/advice as to where's the best place to get one online? Amazon.com? eBay?

I just bought one from americanaquariumproducts.com because they test it and include some media for you. Their website is terrible to navigate on mobile, just FYI. Shipping has taken a week but honestly I'd rather pay a little more to buy it from someone that has tested it than just paying amazon for one that's been sitting in their warehouse.

10-28-2015 03:01 PM

onedollarinmywallet

After reading the reviews (and watching the YT videos) on the SunSun/AquaTop units, I'm seriously contemplating returning my unopened Fluval 406 and getting a SunSun 404B. Any suggestion/advice as to where's the best place to get one online? Amazon.com? eBay?

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